Victoria Bitter

Victoria Bitter (4.9% abv), VB, Virgin Busters, Vomit beer, Visitors beer, everyone has a new and even more demeaning name for it! You either love it or you hate it. The brand stems from a rivalry which is as old and sacred as Holden vs Ford and opinions of the beer generally tend to come from brand loyalty rather than the quality of the actual beer. Contrary to the name, Victoria Bitter is actually a stock standard pale lager and would be the defining example for the beer style of Australian lager. The beer has been available since the 1890's and has grown into Australia's best and biggest selling beer. It has a reputation as a beer for men who work hard and play hard. Contrary to what you may have heard VB is actually a nice beer to drink on a hot summer afternoon, and I am proud to admit that it is still one of my favourite beers. I guess that is because I was brought up on the stuff, but there is definetely more to it. I think its the nice firm bitterness, slight nuttyness and low carbonation (well lower than most Australian beers) which makes VB so good. The fact that, "it is what it is" and does not pretend to be something else like the majority of gimmick beers that are currently being released on the Australian market is refreshing in itself. The fact that the Australian beer market has grown into three segments is disturbing. There is the staple and core market which has existed since the dawn or time, this is the bulk of the market. No frills beers such as VB which sell loads and are the real bread and butter of Australian beer. Then there is the boutique market which has emerged over the last few years. At first this was a revelation, quality beers being offered at reasonable prices. A few small breweries daring to stand up and show the big boys what beer is supposed to be like! However, the big boys responded and either bought these small breweries or released their own boutique brands which offered substandard beer at inflated prices. The latest market segement to emerge is the low carb dry beer thing. I'll spare you all that rant again , but I will make the point that with a market which is so keen to exploit the drinker, its refreshing to know that beers like VB will always be available and that as long as you know what you are getting, you will never be let down!